Trust needs to resolve pay crisis for Homecare workers - Peacock

Sinn Féin
election candidate for Ballymoney Leanne Peacock has called on the Northern
Health and Social Care Trust to make sure that homecare workers are paid
expenses on time.

Leanne Peacock
said that she has been working with local Homecare workers employed by the
Trust as they faced a crisis caused by underpayments over the last few
days.

Ms Peacock
said,

"I
was approached by a group of local Homecare Workers who brought to my attention
the serious issues that have been leaving them underpaid and without their
travel expenses recently.

“These workers
provide a valuable resource assisting elderly people in their homes and as a
result clock up substantial mileage in their role.

"It is
shocking that staff who work tirelessly in the community would have to go
without the substantial sum that they are out of pocket in travel expenses
incurred as a result of their work.

“Indeed
without the reimbursement of travel expenses many homecare workers have feared
that they may be unable to carry out their job over the next few weeks as they
cannot afford to pay for the fuel required.

"Having
pressured the Northern Trust to take urgent action in conjunction with my
colleague Daithí McKay MLA I have received assurances that all outstanding
travel expenses will be paid by 22nd April.

“We will
continue to monitor the situation closely. I would encourage any homecare
workers who have not received their payments by the 22nd to contact me, or the
Sinn Féin Constituency Office in Dunloy, so that we can take further action on
the issue.”

North Antrim
MLA Daithí McKay added:

"The
Trust needs to ensure that this does not happen again.

“Regardless of
problems with a new payroll system workers are entitled to their pay and they
must be paid in good time.

“We all know
the problems and stress that missed standing orders and direct debits can
cause, as well as meeting basic household overheads, and the Trust must ensure
that staff are not one penny out of pocket."